Highlights
ACS Central Science: Pharm to Table Podcast Duo Bridges the Academia–Industry Divide
29 April 2026The Merck colleagues and cohosts advocate closer collaboration between academic and industry chemists.
New Scientist: We need more radioactive drugs. Can we make them from nuclear waste?
22 April 2026The rise of a new generation of radiotherapies means we will soon need much greater quantities of radioactive atoms. That’s why companies are scrambling to refine them from all manner of radioactive waste.
Science: Whistleblower alleges Finnish startup’s vaunted solid-state battery isn’t what it claims
22 April 2026Donut Lab’s assertions of lightning-fast charging and high energy storage have led to a criminal complaint.
Nature: Fresh claim of making elusive ‘hexagonal’ diamond is the strongest yet
04 March 2026After decades of debate, researchers say that they have found the clearest evidence yet for this rare form of carbon.
C&EN: Copper finally joins the metallocene club
17 February 2026More than 70 years after ferrocene’s discovery, cuprocene fills a long-standing gap in the sandwich menu.
TESTIMONIALS
“As an editor and reporter, Mark Peplow is fast, accurate, and versatile. He covers science policy and pure research with equal passion, and his writing combines a scientist’s precision with a journalist’s verve.” Tim Appenzeller
Former Chief Magazine Editor at Nature, now News Editor at Science
"Mark guided me through some of the most challenging stories I've written. These are pieces I might not have attempted were it not for his steady editorial hand." Linda Nordling
Freelance Journalist, South Africa
“Working with Mark is never anything other than a pleasure. He is the kind of editor that writers hope for: able to identify what needs fixing and what doesn’t, bringing to bear a wealth of knowledge, always clear, prompt and easy to talk with. Much of that comes from being a splendid writer himself.”
Philip Ball
Freelance Science Writer
Category Archives: Highlights
C&EN: Copolymer could keep catheters bacteria-free
By reducing biofilm formation and bacterial swarming, this polymer may help to avert common infections.
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C&EN: Chain-link molecules form flexible networks
Catenated covalent organic frameworks could find use as additives or membranes.
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C&EN: Electric molecular motor charges ahead
Oscillating voltage prompts molecular rings to trundle around a circular track.
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C&EN: Battery anodes recycled in a flash
Jolt of electricity zaps impurities in graphite anodes, potentially offering a cheaper and greener recycling strategy.
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C&EN: These DNA nanoshells trap a broad spectrum of viruses
Using sugar chains as a ‘virus glue’ could help DNA origami structures become antiviral agents.
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C&EN: Mirror-image polymerase makes key parts of mirror ribosome
Ongoing effort to create a reflection of life’s protein-making machinery could provide access to mirror molecules for diagnostics, therapeutics, and more.
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C&EN: Molecular ring mimics photosynthetic machinery
Spoke-like templates bend a linear chain of 24 porphyrins into a light-harvesting hoop.
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C&EN: Chemistry and biology unite to recycle mixed plastics
No presorting needed in 2-step process that turns multiple plastics into single products.
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C&EN: Click and bioorthogonal chemistry win 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Carolyn R. Bertozzi, Morten Meldal, and K. Barry Sharpless receive prize for their work on reactions that quickly link up molecules and their application in living cells.
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C&EN: Blue-light special offers sweeter route to 𝐶-glycosides
Glycosyl sulfones need no catalyst for light-triggered radical coupling.
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